Local footy: EDFL reveals salary cap figures for 2021
The player payments limit has been slashed across all three senior grades of the Essendon District Football League amid the coronavirus crisis.
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The Essendon District Football League has taken the axe to its salary caps for 2021.
Senior clubs will have 50 per cent less to spend on players next year as they look to regain their financial footing amid the coronavirus crisis.
Premier Division clubs will have a player payments limit of $100,000, while Division 1 clubs will have a cap of $85,000 and Division 2 clubs $70,000.
Local Footy reported last month that AFL Victoria was expected to apply a $100,000 ceiling for match payments for five suburban leagues – Eastern, Essendon District, Northern, Southern and Western Region – for the next three years.
EDFL chief executive Ian Kyte said the figures would only apply to next season at this stage, adding club sustainability was the priority in an uncertain period.
Clubs have suffered a collapse in sponsorship and still absorbed costs to prepare for a season which was ultimately cancelled.
“We went out and consulted with our clubs and the overwhelming result was those figures were correct,” Kyte said.
“Some wanted a bit lower I think, probably with the understanding they’ve got no idea what they’ll be able to bring in through sponsorships and fundraising.
“This is a two or three-year thing now for clubs to get back on their feet and being able to raise money, bring in sponsorship to try and get back to running a viable organisation.”
Kyte said he expected all metropolitan competitions to have similar salary caps.
But he said country leagues may have a higher limit from next year.
“Country leagues might be a little bit up because they’ve got travel they incorporate in it (to compensate players),” he said.
“Their salary caps might be 15-20 (thousand) higher and I think we’ve got to accept that.”
Keilor Park (2018) and Jacana (2019) have gone into recess the past two seasons, underlining the difficulties local clubs can face.
“At this stage, I would think all our clubs would be returning next year, which would be a great result,” Kyte said.
The EDFL is yet to make a decision on player points for 2021 after the limit was set to be 47 this year.
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